Thanks to a nearby farmer, the Spencer Township Fire Department received a donation that will help them purchase new equipment. The fire department received $2,500 through America’s Farmers Grow CommunitiesSM. The donations are made available through the Monsanto Fund. Through the program, winning farmers designate a local nonprofit organization to benefit from the donations. Rick Smith, of Sand Lake, was selected as a winner in the program, and he designated the $2,500 to the fire department.

Grow Communities was created to benefit nonprofit community groups that are important to America’s farmers. For Smith, the opportunity to help grow his community became a reality when he was selected as a Grow Communities winner during the second annual program. He chose the fire department because he appreciates the department’s work.

“They have a nice rescue unit and an excellent fire department,” Smith said.

In a ceremony held March 20 at the Spencer Township Hall, Smith got the chance to present the fire department with the $2,500 donation.

According to Spencer clerk Denise Biegalle, the fire department will use the money to purchase a piercing nozzle and both agricultural and regular foam.

In 1,245 eligible counties, farmers could win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit. The Monsanto Fund expects to invest more than $3.1 million in local rural communities this year alone. In total, more than $91,000 has been donated to nonprofits in Michigan.